Haptens, tracers, immunogens and antibodies for 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acids

ABSTRACT

Novel tethered hapten intermediates and related conjugates based on 3- phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid, as well as methods for making and using such conjugates. Haptens based on the above core structure may be substituted at any position on the phenyl ring, especially at the para position. Using tethered intermediates, immunogens, tracers, solid supports and labeled oligonucleotides are all described; as are methods for using the intermediates to prepare the conjugates, methods of using the conjugates to make and purify anitbodies, as assay tracers, and in nucleic acid hybridization assays. Kits containing haptenated oligonucleotides and anti-hapten conjugates are also described.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/808,508 filed Dec. 17, 1991, abandoned the whole of which is incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to novel 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid hapten compounds, to tethered intermediates, to immunogens useful for preparing antibodies, to tracer compounds useful for assaying the haptens, to oligonucleotides labeled with the haptens and to kits containing these reagents. The invention also relates to various methods for making and/or using the novel haptens and the derivatives specified above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is commonly known that many small molecules will not elicit an antibody response by themselves but, when coupled to an appropriate immunogenicity conferring carrier molecule (to become an immunogen), antibodies can be prepared against the hapten. This technology is discussed in many textbooks. See Erlanger, B. F. in Methods of Enzymology, 70:85-105 (Academic Press 1980); and Hurn, B. A. L., et al., in Methods of Enzymology, 70:105- (Academic Press 1980).

Many methods of adding haptens to oligonucleotide probes are known in the literature. A review of such conjugate literature is found in Goodchild, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 1(3):165-187 (1990). Enzo Biochemical (New York) and Clontech (Palo Alto) both have described and commercialized probe labeling techniques, including techniques for labeling probes with biotin or similar haptens. In addition, co-pending applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 625,566, filed Dec. 11, 1990 and 630,908, filed Dec. 20, 1990 teach methods for labeling probes at their 5' and 3' ends respectively. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned co-pending applications are incorporated by reference. The hapten label or "hook" may be used either to isolate a desired target sequence (i.e. by hybridization with a haptenated oligonucleotide and collection of the haptens with a specific binding partner); or to attach a detectable signalling moiety to a target sequence (e.g. by probing target with a haptenated oligonucleotide and using an anti-hapten conjugate with a detectable signal generating compound such as a fluorophore, chemilumiphore, colloidal particle or enzyme).

According to one known method for labeling an oligonucleotide, a label-phosphoramidite reagent is prepared and used to add the label to the oligonucleotide during its synthesis. For example, see Thuong, N. T. et al., Tet. Letters, 29(46):5905-5908 (1988); or Cohen, J. S. et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/246,688 (NTIS ORDER No. PAT-APPL-7-246,688) (1989). However, DNA synthesis reaction conditions are quite severe (e.g. iodine oxidation and ammonium hydroxide cleavage) and many haptens (e.g. biotin and fluorescein) do not readily withstand these conditions without modification. In another approach useful for labile haptens, a linker having a protected terminal amine is attached to the desired end of the oligonucleotide. The amine can be deprotected and, under milder conditions, reacted with a label.

Automated synthesis of oligonucleotides (See e.g. Beaucage and Caruthers, Tet. Letters, 22(20):1859-1862 (1981) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,973,679 and 4,458,066) is often the most efficient method of preparing probes. However, the hostile conditions required during automated synthesis limit the choice of labels available for labeling by this method. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by describing novel haptens which will withstand the rather rigorous conditions of DNA synthesis. Thus, using the haptens of the invention, an oligonucleotide can be directly labeled during automated synthesis, without involving an intervening isolation or a secondary labeling reaction.

The invention has a further advantage in that successfully labeled oligonucleotides can easily be isolated from unlabeled oligonucleotides by an affinity separation method using a specific binding partner, e.g. an antibody, for the hapten.

Methodology for preparing tracer molecules also is known. For example, fluorescence polarization assays require tracers comprising an analyte-hapten coupled to a fluorescent molecule. Typically, the analyte-hapten and a known amount of tracer are allowed to compete for a limited amount of a specific binding member for the hapten, and the labeled tracer is thereby partitioned between a bound and free form. The signal from the bound form is differentiable from the signal from the free form, so that the amount of analyte-hapten can be estimated. One method for differentiating the signals is by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), in which the "millipolarization", the "span" or the "relative intensity" can be measured as described in the literature and below. The technique of FPIA has been described, for example, in Jolley, M. E., J. Analyt. Toxicol., 5:236-240 (1981) and in Blecka, L. J. Amer. Assoc. Clin. Chem. pp. 1-6 (March 1983) ,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

DE 3618407 describes an opiate-like peptide having an adamantyl group as one of several possible substituents. Antibodies are prepared against the peptide.

However, applicants are unaware of any art demonstrating the antigenicity or immunogenicity of the claimed 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivatives.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is derived from the class of compounds which are based on 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivatives of the following structure: ##STR1## wherein a and a' when taken alone are independently 1-5 groups selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylthio, halo-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl)amino, aryl- C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, halogen, amino, carboxy, carboxamide hydroxy, mercapto, nitro, nitroso, sulfo, phospho and protected forms thereof; or

alternatively a and a' when adjacent and when taken together with the carbons to which they are joined form a fused ring;

Z is alkylene of from 1 to about 10 atoms; and

A is a linking moiety of the formula --L--y, wherein y is a functional group that can react directly or after activation with functional groups in a second molecule and L is spacer group consisting of from 1 to about 50 atoms.

Typically, L will include not more than ten heteroatoms, will be arranged in a straight or branched chain or cyclic moiety, saturated or unsaturated, with the provisos that not more than two heteroatoms may be directly linked in the sequence --L--y, that the sequence --L--y cannot contain --O--O-- linkages, that cyclic moieties contain 6 or fewer members, and that branchings may occur only on carbon atoms. Possible reactive functionalities y are described below.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to conjugates of the following structure: ##STR2## wherein a,a', and Z are defined as above and A is defined as above except that A becomes --L--, the y having been reacted with Q; and wherein Q is a conjugation partner. A conjugation partner may be selected from the group consisting of an immunogenicity conferring carder molecule (to form an immunogen), a detectable label molecule (to form a tracer), an oligonucleotide (to form a separable or detectable probe), and a solid phase (to form an affinity support).

In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies, either polyclonal or monoclonal, which are reactive with the compounds (II) or (III). Such antibodies may be prepared by the process of injecting an immunogen (III) into an animal and recovering the antibodies.

In addition, the invention relates to the following methods of using the above compounds:

1. Use of compounds (II) to prepare immunogens, tracers, labeled oligonucleotides and affinity solid supports;

2. Use of compounds (III: Q=immunogenicity conferring carder) to raise antibodies;

3. Use of compounds (III: Q=solid support) to isolate or purify antibodies;

4. Use of compounds (III: Q=oligonucleotide) for detection of nucleic acids complementary to the oligonucleotide; and

5. Use of compounds (III: Q=detectable signal moiety) for detection of hapten-analog analytes.

Finally, the invention also relates to kits containing compounds of the invention (e.g. II:A=phosphoramidite or III: Q=oligonucleotide), in combination with an antibody reactive with the compounds, said antibody being attached to or adapted for attachment to either solid supports or detectable labels. In the second example, the oligonucleotide probe may be hybridized with a target and the antibody may be used to separate or detect it. In the first example, the phosphoramidite may be used to label one's own oligonucleotide during its synthesis, while the antibody is used as before.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the preparation of phosphoramidite-linked hapten.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following definitions are applicable to the present invention:

"Antigen" is defined in its usual sense, to refer to a molecule or compound which is capable of eliciting an immune or antibody response in a challenged animal. Compounds which are not antigenic by themselves can sometimes by made to elicit the immune response by coupling the compound (a "hapten") to an "immunogenicity conferring carrier" molecule to form an "immunogen". While such haptens are not "antigenic" in the strict sense, they are capable of imitating antigens and have many properties in common with antigens. Thus, the terms antigen and hapten are often used interchangeably. For example, both haptens and antigens have at least one "determinant" which, as used herein, refers to a region of the antigen or hapten which is involved in specific binding reactions between the antigen or hapten and an antibody. Some haptens and antigens have more than one determinant region or site and thus are "polyvalent". In essence, it is the determinants which differentiate antigens, and therefore, antibodies from one another on the basis of immunological specificity.

For purposes of this application, "hapten" is defined as any compound having the 3-phenyl-1-adamantane core structure described above.

As suggested above, the term "immunogen" refers to a conjugate of a hapten or antigen and a carrier molecule. The carrier is often a protein or peptide. Known immunogenicity conferring carriers include, for example, naturally occurring poly(amino-acids), albumins and serum proteins such as bovine thyroglobulin (BTG), globulins, lipoproteins, ocular lens proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), egg ovalbumin, bovine gamma globulin (BGG), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), and the like. Alternatively, synthetic poly(amino-acids) can be utilized such as polylysine, etc. However, any molecule which is capable of conferring antigenicity to a hapten is an "immunogenicity conferring carrier."

The term "hapten-specific binding member", as used herein, refers to a member, such as an antibody or receptor, that specifically binds to the hapten. The determinants on the hapten are responsible for the specific binding of the binding member to the hapten. The most common and usual specific binding member is an antibody, either polyclonal or monoclonal.

In general, terms like "alkyl", "alkenyl" and "aryl" have the meanings usually attributed to them by persons skilled in the art of organic chemistry. For example, alkyl refers to monovalent straight or branched aliphatic radicals which may be derived from alkanes by the removal of one hydrogen, and have the general formula C_(n) H_(2n+1). Alkyl substituents may have from 1 to about 30 carbons, more practically 1 to about 20. "Lower alkyl" refers to alkyls having from 1 to about 10 carbons. Examples of lower alkyl include CH₃ --, CH₃ CH₂ --, CH₃ CH(CH₃)--, and CH₃ (CH₂)₄ --.

"Alkylene" refers to a divalent group derived from a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon by removal of two hydrogen atoms. Examples include methylene, 1,2, -ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene and the like.

"Halo-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl" refers to a lower alkyl group, as defined below, bearing at least one halogen substituent, for example chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, chloroethyl, trifluoromethyl and the like.

"C₁ -C₁₀ -alkoxy" refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, which is bonded through an oxygen atom. Examples of such alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, t-butoxy and the like.

"C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylamino" refers to amino groups substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups, as defined above, including methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, propylamino and ethylmethylamino.

"C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylthio" refers to thio groups substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups, as defined above, including methylthio, ethylthio, dimethylthio,, and diethylthio.

"Alkenyl" refers to monovalent straight or branched aliphatic radicals which may be derived from alkenes by the removal of one hydrogen, and have the general formula C_(n) H_(2n-1). Alkenyl substituents may have from 1 to about 30 carbons, more practically 1 to about 20. "Lower alkenyl" refers to alkenyls having from 1 to about 10 carbons. "Olefinic" is a synonym for alkenyl.

"Aryl" refers to a monovalent radical derived from aromatic hydrocarbons or heteroaromatic compounds by the removal of one hydrogen. Aryl substituents have ring structures, such as those of phenyl, naphthyl and 2-thienyl. Typically, aryl substituents are planar with the π electron clouds of each carbon remaining on opposite sides of the plane. Aryl substituents satisfy the Huckel (4n+2) π electrons rule.

"Arylalkyl" refers to an aryl group as defined above substituted with one to two lower alkyl groups as defined above.

Protecting groups are defined as groups that can be removed under specific conditions, but which shelter or hide a reactive atom or functionality temporarily during intermediate reactions under other conditions. Protecting groups for hydroxyl, amino and thiol functionalities are well known in the art (T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1981). Hydroxyl functions are routinely protected as alkyl or aryl ethers alkyl, aryl, alkenyl), silyl ethers (silyl), esters (acyl), carbonates (C(═O)--O-alkyl, --C(═O)--O-aryl, --C(═O)--O-alkenyl) and carbamates (C(═O)--NH-alkyl, --C(═O)--NH-aryl, --C(═O)--NH-alkenyl). Amino functions are routinely protected as carbamates (--C(═O)--O-alkyl, --C(═O)--O-aryl, --C(═O)--O-alkenyl), amides (C(═O)-alkyl, --C(═O)-aryl, --C(═O)-alkenyl), cyclic imides (phthaloyl), N-benzyl derivatives (--CH.sub.(n) aryl.sub.(3-n), n=1-3), imine derivatives (═CH.sub.(n) alkyl.sub.(2-n), ═CH.sub.(n) aryl.sub.(2-n) n=0-2), silyl derivatives (silyl), N-sulfenyl derivatives (S -aryl, --S--CH.sub.(n) aryl.sub.(3-n), n=0-3), and N-sulfonyl derivatives (--SO₂ -aryl, --SO₂ -alkyl). Thiol functions are routinely protected as thioethers (--CH.sub.(n) aryl.sub.(3-n), n=1-3, aklyl), thioesters (acyl), thiocarbonates (C(═O)--O-alkyl, --C(═O)-O-aryl, --C(═O)--O-alkenyl), thiocarbamates (C(═O)--NH-alkyl, --C(═O)-NH-aryl, --C(═O)--NH-alkenyl), and disulfides (--S-alkyl, aryl). Where more than one protecting group is called for, it will be understood that each group may be independently selected from the various protecting groups. Indeed, one of ordinary skill in the an will know which protecting groups are routine for which functional groups.

As used herein, the "linking moiety" A is also referred to as a "tether". These terms refer to the spacer molecule having the formula:

    --L--y

where y is a reactive functional group that can react directly or after activation with the functional groups in a second molecule, e.g. the conjugation partner, Q; and L is a spacer group consisting of from 1 to 50 carbon and heteroatoms. Typically, L will include not more than ten heteroatoms, and will be arranged in a straight or branched chain or cyclic moiety, saturated or unsaturated, with the provisos that not more than two heteroatoms may be directly linked in the sequence --L--y, that the sequence --L--y cannot contain --O--O-- linkages, that cyclic moieties contain 6 or fewer members, and that branchings may occur only on carbon atoms. In formulas where A is already linked to Q, the group y is dropped from the formula, leaving A=--L--.

Typically, y is chosen from the group consisting of hydroxy (--OH), thiol (--SH), carboxy (--C(═O)OH), amino (--NH₂), aldehyde (--CH(═O)), leaving group, Michael acceptor, phosphoramidite, phosphonate and protected forms of these functional groups. In synthesis, the linking moiety often comprises a bifunctional compound designated x--L--y wherein x is also a functional group (selected from the same group as y) which can react with functional groups on the hapten or --R. Many bifunctional linkers are known to one skilled in this art. For example, heterobifunctional linkers are described in, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,883 (Bieniarz). These are preferred in some cases due to the specificity of their ends for one functional group or another.

A "Michael acceptor" is defined in the an as follows: "The nucleophilic addition of enolate (or analogous) anions to the carbon-carbon double bond of a,b-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes nitriles or carboxylic acid derivatives, a [is] process known as the Michael reaction . . . . The unsaturated compounds in the reaction, often called Michael acceptors, may include any unsaturated system having a functional group capable of stabilizing the carbanionic intermeditate . . . . The Michael acceptors may also add a variety of nucleophiles such as alcohols, thiols, and amines." H. O. House, Modern Synthetic Reactions, W. A. Benjamin, Inc., Menlo Park Calif., 1972, pp. 595-96. Common functional groups which can activate a double bond to this kind of nucleophilic addition (thereby forming Michael acceptors) include, --CH(═O), --C(═O)R , --C(═O)NH₂, --CN, --NO₂, --S(═O)R , --S(═O)₂ R , wherein R can be alkyl or aryl. Thus, exemplary Michael acceptors include: ##STR3## wherein d, e, and f can independently be hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl, and wherein U is chosen from --CH(═O), --C(═O)R , --C(═O)NH₂, --CN, --NO₂, --S(═O)R , and --S(═O)₂ R , and R is again alkyl or aryl. A particularly preferred Michael acceptor is maleimide: ##STR4##

Solid supports refer to a wide variety of support materials. Polymeric plastics, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene, are exemplary. Glass is also a useful support. Supports may take any size or shape, including beads, microparticles, tubes, rods, plates, wells and cuvettes. Supports may include functional groups for conjugation, or may be derivatized prior to conjugation. Alternatively, supports may be coated or adsorbed in some cases. Supports should be physically separable from reagent solutions, based on size, weight, shape, charge, magnetic properties or some other physical property. It will be realized that two distinct uses for solid supports are described herein. First, antibodies can be purified using supports conjugated to tethered intermediates; and secondly, supports to which anti-hapten antibodies are attached are useful for separating and/or detecting oligonucleotides labeled with haptens, and for competitive hapten-analog assays.

Antibodies are prepared by developing an immune response in animals to the immunogen s described hereinafter. The immunogen is administered to animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, sheep or cows by a series of injections according to techniques generally known in the art. An antibody, according to the present invention, is raised in response to an immunogen of the invention which is derived from the haptens described above. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies recognize specific epitopes on an immunogen, and, while typically polyclonal antibodies have been utilized in the present invention, both may be suitable. Polyclonal antibodies consist of a mixture of multiple antibodies, each recognizing a specific epitope, some of which may be present on the carrier molecule. Techniques for preparing polyclonal antibodies generally are well known in the art. It is well within the skill of the ordinary practitioner to isolate antibodies which are specific for the hapten portion of the immunogen. Affinity chromatography is but one method.

Monoclonal antibodies, specific for just one determinant or epitope, may be prepared eliciting an immune response as before. Following appropriate incubation and booster injections, B-lymphocyte cells are removed from the spleens of the animals by standard procedures, and the B-lymphocyte cells are then fused with myeloma fusion partners according to standard procedures, such as those described in Kohler and Milstein, "Continuous Culture of Fused Cells Secreting Antibody of Predefined Specificity," Nature, 256, 495 (1975).

"Label" as used herein refers to labels capable of providing a directly detectable signal, as well as to molecules like haptens, which can indirectly be detected. In this way, "label" is interchangeable with "reporter" or "hook". However, at times is necessary to distinguish "label" from a moiety which is capable of generating a measurable detectable signal, usually an electromagnetic radiation signal. The term "detectable label" or "signalling" label or moiety is used when the intent is to differentiate from hapten-type labels or "hooks".

The term "tracer" refers to a conjugate of hapten with a detectable signalling label. The tracer permits a determination or assay of the amount of hapten present in an unknown solution. Preferably, the tracer signalling label is a fluorescent molecule as described hereinafter, although the tracer signalling label may encompass other detectable labels, including by way of example and not limitation, radioisotopes, chemilumiphores and colloidal particles. In an FPIA, the choice of the fluorescent molecule for forming the tracer is advantageously flexible and is largely up to the preferences of the practitioner. It will be readily appreciated that the fluorescent labels are ideally chosen in accordance with their size, that is, the smaller the molecule, the more rapidly it can rotate, and the more effective it is as an FPIA tracer component. In the present invention, the preferred fluorescent labels are fluorescein and fluorescein derivatives. These compounds provide fluorescent response when excited by polarized light of an appropriate wavelength and thereby enable the fluorescence polarization measurement. For example, any of the following fluorescein derivatives can be used: fluorescein amine, carboxyfluorescein, a-iodoacetamidofluorescein, 4'-aminomethylfluorescein, 4'-N-alkylaminomethylfluorescein, 5-aminomethylfluorescein, 2,4-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin- 2-yl-aminofluorescein (DTAF), 4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl-aminofluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate. Especially preferred derivatives are aminomethylfluorescein and 5-carboxyfluorescein. Other tracer detectable labels are also known in the literature, particularly associated with other detection techniques.

The term "oligonucleotide" (sometimes abbreviated to "oligo") refers to short segments of nucleic acid having a minimum of about 5 nucleotides and a maximum of several hundred nucleotides. Although, oligonucleotides longer than about 30 nucleotides are often called polynucleotides, the term oligonucleotide is used herein to encompass the longer chains as well. The nucleic acid may be RNA or DNA, although DNA is generally preferred. The DNA may be natural or synthetic, although the invention excels in the automated synthesis of DNA.

A. Reagents

1 Haptens

a. Structure of Haptens

Haptens which are structurally similar to 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid have the following general structure: ##STR5## wherein a and a' when taken alone are 1-5 groups independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen (H), alkyl, amino (--NH₂), protected amino [--N(H)_(n) Z, n=0-1 to satisfy valency and Z is a protecting group], aryl, carboxy (--CO₂ H), protected carboxy (--CO₂ Z), carboxamido (--C(═O)NRR', R and R' independently are H, alkyl or aryl, halo (--F, --Cl, --Br, --I), hydroxy (--OH), protected hydroxy (--OZ), mercapto (--SH), protected mercapto (--SZ), nitro (--NO₂), nitroso (--NO), sulfo (--SO₃ -), and phospho (--PO₃ ⁻²); and wherein further, any two adjacent substituents may be taken together to form a fused ring;

alternatively a and a' when adjacent and when taken together with the carbons to which they are joined form a fused ring having from 4-10 carbons;

Z is alkylene of from 1 to about 10 atoms; and

wherein B is selected from the group consisting of -hydroxy (--OH), protected hydroxy, amino (--NR"R'", where R" and R'" may independently be H, alkyl or aryl), thiol (--SH), protected thiol, and a leaving group. The protecting groups (where more than one are present) may be the same or different and may be selected from among the many known protecting groups for O, N and/or S.

b. Synthesis of Haptens ##STR6##

The starting material, methyl 3-bromoadamantaneacetate (B=--OCH₃), is available from Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee Wis.), or can be synthesized according to the procedure of Bott, K. Chem. Ber., 101(2):564-573 (1968). The acetate is dissolved in a solution of the appropriate phenyl derivative or a mixture of the appropriate phenyl derivative in an inert solvent, such as carbondisulfide or nitrobenzene, along with a Lewis acid, such as AlCl₃. After coupling of the phenyl ting to the adamantane nucleus, the ester may be saponified to the acid (B=--OH).

Z is as defined above. Substituents a and a' are independently selected as mentioned above, however, it will be recognized by one of normal skill in the art that there are some limitations for the substituents a and a' inasmuch as the above scheme involves a Friedel-Crafts alkylation. It is well known that meta directing substituents such as --NO₂ deactivate the phenyl ting toward Friedel-Crafts alkylation and that fused ring compounds give poor yields [J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 1977, pp 485-490]. For such cases the substitutent(s) must be introduced after the Friedel-Crafts alkylation by an alternate scheme such as ##STR7## The Friedel-Crafts alkylation is carried out with benzene and the substituent is introduced in subsequent steps. Examples 1 and 2 illustrate this scheme. Briefly, they show the nitration of the unsubstituted 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetate to form the 3-(4-nitrophenyl), 3-(2-nitrophenyl), and 3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetates.

Substituents having heteroatoms (e.g. alkoxy, carboxy, carboxamido, nitro, sulfo, etc); and/or substituents having relatively rigid chemical structures may be preferred for increased antigenic avidity. Substituents at the 4 (para-) position are particularly preferred.

Also, it will be recognized by one of normal skill in the art that there are some limitations for the substituents a and a' when adjacent and taken together to form a fused ring. The ring fused to the phenyl will normally have from 4-10 atoms, and preferably from 6-8 atoms.

c. Tethered. Intermediates

The haptens are converted according to methods known to those skilled in the art using linker molecules x--L--y, (containing reactive functional groups x and y capable of coupling to complementary reactive groups on another molecule or macromolecule) to produce hapten intermediate compounds with a tether or sidechain, A=--L--y. Of course, the remainder of the hapten molecule retains a structure substantially similar to those of the desired determinant(s). Many methods for linking a hapten to another molecule are known in the art. Preferred methods involve activating a functional group on the hapten or linker, attaching a linker or tether to the hapten via the activated group. The free end of the tether, y, is available for coupling to the desired molecule, Q. As is known in the art, it is sometimes desirable to activate a functional group on Q, and sometimes a second linker is used. Depending on the desired y group, it may also be preferred (for ease of synthesis) to interchange one y for another after the tether has been attached to the hapten.

One possible general activation/coupling scheme is given below. Specific examples follow for various means for preparing desired products. ##STR8##

The hapten (I) with an activated carboxyl group (B=--OH) is reacted with a linker or tether molecule x--L--y, wherein x is selected from --OH, --SH, and --NHR'--, R' being selected from H, alkyl, aryl, substituted alkyl and substituted aryl; wherein L is spacer group as defined above; and wherein y is chosen from the group consisting of hydroxy (--OH), thiol (--SH), carboxy (--C(═O)OH), amino (NH₂), aldehyde (--CH(═O)), leaving group, Michael acceptor, phosphoramidite, phosphonate and protected forms of these functional groups to form the tethered intermediate (II).

Reaction of the hapten (I) with the tether or linker produces tethered intermediate compounds (II) having a tether with a functional group y. The reaction conditions for each of these reaction steps can be obtained in the examples or the literature. For example hapten (I)[B=carboxy (--C(═O)OH)] may be activated with oxalyl chloride and DMF to produce the acid chloride [I, B=--C(═O)Cl]. Further reaction with the linker, methyl 6-aminocaproate [x=NH₂, L=--(CH₂)₅ --, y=--CO₂ CH₃ ] gives the tethered intermediate [II, A=--NH(CH₂)₅ CO₂ CH₃ ]. Saponification of the methyl ester with sodium hydroxide gives the tethered intermediate [II, A=--NH(CH₂)₅ CO₂ H] which is read>, to be activated and coupled to Q. Other specific examples may be found in the EXAMPLES section.

2 Immunogens

a. Structure of Immunogens

Immunogens can be produced from a wide variety of tethered intermediates. The immunogens of the present invention have the following general structure: ##STR9## wherein a,a', and n are as defined above; A is a tether as defined above except that the reactive function y has already been reacted with, Q, an immunogenicity conferring carrier. Typical carriers were previously described.

Immunogens find principal use in the raising of antibodies.

b. Synthesis of Immunogens

In the immunogens of the present invention, the tether functionality, y, of tethered intermediates (II) can be reacted in any of several ways known to those skilled in the art with the amino groups on a protein carder. It is frequently preferable to form amide bonds, which typically are quite stable. Amide bonds are formed by first activating the carboxylic acid moiety y of the tethered intermediate by reaction with an activating reagent such as 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and an additive such as N-hydroxysuccinimide. The activated form of the hapten is then reacted with a buffered solution containing the immunogenicity conferring carrier. Alternatively, the carboxylic acid hapten may be converted, with or without isolation, into a highly reactive mixed anhydride, acyl halide, acyl imidazolide, or mixed carbonate and then combined with the immunogenicity conferring carrier. One of ordinary skill in the an will recognize that there are many reagents that can be used to form amide bonds other than those listed.

A tethered intermediate with a terminal amine functionality [II, y:=--NH₂ ] can be transformed into a highly reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide urethane by reaction with N,N'-disuccinimidyl carbonate in a suitable solvent, such as acetonitrile or dimethylformamide. The resultant urethane is then reacted with the immunogenicity conferring carrier in a buffered, aqueous solution to provide an immunogen.

A tethered intermediate with a terminal aldehyde functionality [II, y=--CH(=═O)] can be coupled to the immunogenicity conferring carrier in a buffered, aqueous solution and in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride, by reductive amination according the methods known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, tethered intermediates containing an alcohol group [II, y═OH] can be coupled to the immunogenicity conferring carder by first reaction it with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent, such as di or triphosgene or carbonyldiimidazole, resulting in the formation of a highly reactive chloroformate or imidazoloformate derivative (usually without isolation). The resultant active formate ester is then reacted with the immunogenicity conferring carrier in a buffered, aqueous solution to provide an immunogen.

In a manner analogous to immunogens, tethered intermediates can be conjugated to solid supports having functional groups such as amino, hydroxyl or carboxyl groups that are reactive in a complementary sense with reactive groups, y on the linker of the intermediate. The result is a solid phase which can be used to separate or purify antibodies against the hapten.

2 Antibodies

Methods for antibody preparation are generally known and have been summarized above. Specific examples using the haptens and immunogens of the present invention are given in the EXAMPLES, below.

3 Tracers

a. Structure of Tracers

Tracers of the present invention look very much like the immunogens described above, except that Q is a signalling moiety. Tracers have the general structure: ##STR10## wherein a, a', and n are as defined above; A is a spacer/linker as defined above except that the reactive function y has already been reacted with, Q, a detectable label. As mentioned above, detectable labels which can be detected in homogeneous systems are preferred. Particularly preferred are fluorescein and fluorescein derivatives.

Tracers of the invention find use in assays for 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivatives, including oligonucleotides derivatized with this hapten. For tracers of the present invention it is preferred that A consist of 1 to 12 carbon and heteroatoms. Longer chains reduce the differential polarization effects by distancing the label from the high molecular weight molecule that modulates its polarization properties.

b. Synthesis of Tracers

Tethered intermediates (II) containing an amino group, a carboxyl group or an alcohol group in the tether can be coupled to fluorescein or a fluorescein derivative to prepare the tracers of the present invention. Tethered intermediates with a terminal amine functionality can be transformed into a highly reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide urethane by reaction with N,N'-disuccinimidyl carbonate in a suitable solvent, such as acetonitrile or dimethylformamide. Or an amine-terminated tethered intermediate can be activated to an isocyanate. The resultant product is then reacted with an amino fluorescein derivative to form a urea tracer. An amino-group-containing hapten can also be coupled to a carboxyfluorescein derivative which has been activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide in a suitable solvent.

Tethered intermediates with a terminal carboxyl group on the linker can be coupled to an amino-terminal fluorescein derivative by first activating the carboxylic acid moiety of the tether by reaction with an activating reagent such as 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and an additive such as N-hydroxysuccinimide. The activated intermediate is then reacted with a solution of the fluorescein derivative, resulting in the formation of a tracer. Alternatively, the carboxylic acid hapten may be converted, with or without isolation, into a highly reactive mixed anhydride, acyl halide, acyl imidazolide, or mixed carbonate and then combined with the fluorescein derivative.

Alternatively, tethered intermediates containing an alcohol group can be coupled to the fluorescein by first reacting the tethered intermediate with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent, such as di or triphosgene or carbonyldiimidazole, resulting in the formation of a highly reactive chloroformate or imidazoloformate derivative (usually without isolation). The resultant active formate ester is then reacted with an amino-terminal fluorescein derivative resulting the formation of a tracer.

4 Oligonucleotides

a. Structure of Oligonucleotides

Oligonucleotides can be produced from a wide variety of tethered intermediates. The oligonucleotides of the present invention have the following general structure: ##STR11## wherein a, a', and n are as defined above; A is a tether as defined above except that the reactive function y has already been reacted with, Q, an oligonucleotide in this case. Oligonucleotides were previously defined.

As noted below, oligonucleotides labeled with haptens find uses in nucleic acid hybridization assays, including amplification assays. Haptenated oligonucleotide probes are well adapted for separation and/or detection of PCR products (see e.g. EP-A-357 011) and/or LCR products (see e.g. EP-A-439 182). In combination with other haptens, (e.g. biotin, fluorescein, dansyl, acetylaminofluorene and iodo-acetylaminofluorene, etc.) probes labeled with the hapten of this invention are particularly useful in multiplex versions of PCR and LCR.

b. Synthesis of Tethered Oligonucleotides

In the oligonucleotides of the present invention, the tether functionality, y, can be the same as defined above for tracers and immunogens. Oligonucleotides can be labeled by reacting the y functionality with an amino or hydroxyl function of the oligonucleotide, or by direct reaction with the phosphorous via oxidative amination of an H-phosphonate reagent. Amino functionalities are present in the purine and pyrimidine bases, but these sites are less preferred for labeling because of their importance in hybridization. Amino functionalities can be introduced to the 5' and/or 3' ends of oligonucleotides using reagents such as Aminomodifier® (Clontech, Palo Alto). Hydroxyl functions are typically formed during automated synthesis.

A preferred method for adding a hapten to the 3' end of an oligonucleotide is disclosed in co-pending, co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 630,908, filed Dec. 20, 1990, the disclosure of which has already been incorporated. A preferred method for adding a hapten to the 5' end is through the use of a phosphoramidite reagent as described in Thuong, et al. or Cohen, et al. cited above in the Background Section.

For example a tethered hapten intermediate (II, y=phosphoramidite) where the phosphoramidite, y, is ##STR12## is prepared from the tethered hapten (II, y=--OH] by reaction with N,N-diisopropyl-O-(2-cyanoethyl)chlorophosphoramidite as described in Scheme I, below.

Scheme I (See FIG. 1) begins with the synthesis of the tether. The starting compound is an amino-protected carboxylate 1 wherein W is a spacer group of from 1 to about 50 atoms arranged in a straight or branched chain or cyclic moiety, saturated or unsaturated, with the provisos that (a) not more than two heteroatoms are directly linked, (b) cyclic moieties contain 6 or fewer members, and (c) branching occurs only on carbon atoms; R¹ and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen, alkyl of from 1-10 carbon atoms, an amino protecting group, or aryl, alternatively R¹ or R¹⁰ when taken together with W and the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may form a cyclic amine. Compound 1 is carboxyl-activated (step 1) via a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction, followed by reaction with Meldrum's acid (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione, 2) and R² OH (R² is alkyl of from 1-6 carbon atoms) to yield the diketoester 3 which is then reduced (step 4) with sodium borohydride under reflux conditions to the diol 4. The primary hydroxyl of the diol is then protected by dimethoxytritylation (step 5). The amino is then N-deprotected (step 6) to 5 which is reacted with hapten 6 to form the tethered hapten 7. The tethered hapten is then phosphoramidated at the secondary alcohol (step 8) to the phosporamidite-linked hapten 8. The phosphoramidite-linked hapten may then be used directly to introduce the hapten into a synthetic oligonucleotide at any position.

Detailed descriptions of procedures for solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides are widely available, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,401,796 and 4,458,066 which are incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of the present invention synthesis of adamantane-labeled oligonucleotides is accomplished by reacting an adamantane phosphoramidite with the 5' hydroxyl of a nucleotide attached to a growing oligonucleotide chain. The labeled oligonucleotides are purified by standard procedures, e.g., Gait, Oligonucleotide Synthesis: A Practical Approach (IRL Press, Washington, D.C.: 1984). ##STR13## Alternatively, a tethered hapten intermediate (II, y=phosphonate) where the phosphonate is. ##STR14## is prepared from the tethered hapten (II, y=--OH] by reaction with phosphorous trichloride followed by hydrolysis. Both the phosphoramidite and phosphonate derivatives are readily incorporated into oligonucleotides during synthesis using standard protocols.

Alternatively, a tethered hapten (II, y=--NH₂ ] is reacted in the presence of carbon tetrachloride with a phosphonate group already incorporated in to the oligonucleotide, via oxidative amidation.

Of course, it is now fairly routine practice to make oligonucleotides by synthetic methods in automated synthesizers that are commercially available, for example Applied Biosystem's DNA Synthesizer 380B.

B. FPIA Assay Methods

The tracers and antibodies raised against immunogens of the present invention produce excellent results in a fluorescence polarization assay of the present invention for the semi-quantitative detection of hapten derivatives. The assay is performed in accordance with the following general procedure:

1) a measured volume of standard or extracted test sample containing or suspected of containing hapten derivatives is delivered to a test tube;

2) a known concentration of tracer is then added to the tube;

3) a known, limiting concentration of analyte-specific antibody, produced using the immunogen as described above, is added to the tube;

4) the reaction mixture is incubated, wherein the tracer and analyte compete for limited antibody binding sites, whereby tracer-antibody and analyte-antibody complexes form; and

5) the amount of tracer-antibody complex is measured by fluorescence polarization techniques known per se to determine the presence or amount of the analyte in the test sample.

The preferred procedure was designed to be conducted on the TDx® Therapeutic Drug Monitoring System or the ADx® Abused Drug System, IMx® Fluorescence Polarization and Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) Analyzer all of which are available from Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill. When the TDx, ADx, or IMx systems are used, the assays are fully automated from pretreatment to final reading once the test sample has been prepared. Manual assays, however, can also be performed. Although the principles of the invention are applicable to manual assays, the automated nature of the TDx, ADx and IMx systems assures minimal technician time to perform assays and interpret data. The results can be quantified in terms of "millipolarization units", "span" (in millipolarization units) and "relative intensity". The measurement of millipolarization units indicates the maximum polarization when a maximum amount of the tracer is bound to the antibody in the absence of any PCB in the test sample. The higher the net millipolarization units, the better the binding of the tracer to the antibody.

The span is an indication of the difference between the net millipolarization and the minimum amount of tracer bound to the antibody. A larger span provides for a better numerical analysis of the data. For the purposes of the present invention, a span of at least 15 millipolarization units is preferred.

The intensity is a measure of the strength of the fluorescence signal above the background fluorescence. Thus, a higher intensity will give a more accurate measurement. The intensity is determined as the sum of the vertically polarized intensity plus twice the horizontally polarized intensity. The intensity can range from a signal of about three times to about thirty times the background noise, depending upon the concentration of the tracer and other assay variables. For the purposes of the present invention, an intensity of about three to about twenty times that of background noise is preferred, although it is within the skill of the routineer to optimize the signal for each particular system.

For fluorescein tracers, the pH at which the method of the present invention is practiced must be sufficient to allow the fluorescein moiety to exist in its open form. The pH can range from about four to nine, preferably from about six to eight, and most preferably from about 7 to 7.5. Various buffers can be used to achieve and maintain the pH during the assay procedure. Representative buffers include borate, phosphate, carbonate, Tris, barbital and the like. The particular buffer used is not critical to be present invention, but the Tris and phosphate buffers are preferred.

The preferred FPIA procedure is especially designed to be used in conjunction with the Abbott TDx® Clinical Analyzer, the Abbott TDxFLx™ or the Abbott ADx® Drugs of Abuse System, all three of which are available from Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill. The calibrators, controls, or unknown samples are pipetted directly into the sample well of the TDx® sample cartridge. One of the advantages of this procedure is that the sample does not require any special preparation. The assay procedure from this point is fully automated.

If a manual assay is being performed, the sample is mixed with the pretreatment solution in dilution buffer and a background reading is taken. The fluorescence tracer is then mixed with the assay. The antibody is then finally mixed into the test solution. After incubation, a fluorescence polarization reading is taken.

The fluorescence polarization value of each calibrator, control or sample is determined and is printed on the output tape of an instrument, such as the Abbott TDx® Analyzer, TDxFLx™ or ADx® System. A standard curve is generated in the instrument by plotting the polarization of each calibrator versus its concentration using a nonlinear regression analysis. The concentration of each control or sample is read off of the stored calibration curve and printed on the output tape.

With respect to the foregoing preferred procedure, it should be noted that the tracer, antibody, pretreatment solution, wash solution, calibrators and controls should be stored between about 2 degrees C. and about 8 degrees C. while the dilution buffer should be stored at ambient temperature. A standard curve and controls should be run every two weeks, with each calibrator and control run in duplicate. All samples can be run in duplicate.

The preferred reagents, calibrators and controls for a preferred fluorescence polarization immunoassay of the present invention can be found in Example 24 infra.

C. Methods of Use

Methods of using the novel haptens, tethered intermediates, immunogens, solid supports and tracers have each been described above. When used to label oligonucleotides, the oligonucleotide is 10-100 bases in length. A preferred length is 15-30 bases. Various levels of complementarity of the oligonucleotide may be used. In general, the oligonucleotide is usually perfectly complementary but occasionally a non-match is tolerated and may be preferred. Generally, an oligonucleotide is specific for only the target of interest but sometimes it may be a consensus oligonucleotide for detecting more than one target sequence.

Methods of using the labeled oligonucleotides include the performance of specific hybridizations, such as sandwich hybridizations known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,539 (Ranki) and GB 2 169 403 (Orion). The haptenated oligonucleotides may also be used in amplification techniques, such as PCR and LCR. An illustrative use of a haptenated primer in PCR is described in EP-A-357 011 (Abbott); the use of a haptenated probe in LCR is described in EP-A-320 308 and in EP-A-0 439 182. Other potentially useful known techniques include those described in EP-A-332 435, U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,750 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,243. Each of the above-mentioned disclosures is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention will now be described by way of examples which are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention.

EXAMPLES

All percentages expressed herein are weight/volume unless otherwise indicated. Unless context demands otherwise, the following abbreviations have the meanings given:

    ______________________________________                                         ACA         aminocaproic acid                                                  AMF or AMF  aminomethyl fluorescein, a fluorophore                             BAE         3 carboxypropyloxy radical                                         BSA         Bovine Serum Albumin, an                                                       immunogenicity conferring carrier.                                 Cbz         Carbonylbenzyloxy,                                                             an amino protecting group                                          Celite ®                                                                               A trademark of Manville Products                                               Corporation, for diatomaceous earth                                CDI         1,1'carbonyldiimidazole, a coupling reagent                        DCC         dicyclohexylcarbodimide                                            DEAD or DEADC                                                                              diethylazodicarboxylate                                            DIEA        diisopropylethylamine                                              DMAP        4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine                                      DMEM        Dulbecco's Minimum Essential Medium,                                           a cell culture medium.                                             DMF         N,N-dimethylforinamide                                             EBB         ethyl 4-bromobutyrate                                              glyme       1,2-dimethoxyethane                                                HOSu        hydroxysuccinimide                                                 KLH         keyhole limpet hemocyanin, an                                                  immunogenicity conferring carrier                                  NHS         N-hydroxysuccinimide                                               NMP         N-methylpyrrolidinone                                              PEG         polyethylene glycol                                                TBAF        tetrabutylammonium fluoride                                        TEA         triethylamine                                                      THF         tetrahydrofuran                                                    ______________________________________                                    

A. Synthesis of Haptens, Tethers, and Tethered Haptens Example 1

Preparation of 3-Phenyl-l-adamantaneacetic acid, a hapten. Methyl 3-bromoadamantaneacetate (80 g) (Aldrich Chemical Co. Milwaukee Wis.) was dissolved in benzene (1.6 L) under nitrogen. Aluminum trichloride (37.12 g) was added portionwise over 75 min. at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then quenched by the addition of 0.5M phosphoric acid (1.6 L). The layers were separated and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated in vacuo to give methyl 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetate (80 g).

Example 2

Preparation of 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid, a hapten.

Methyl 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetate, example 1, (78.8 g) was dissolved in acetonitrile (800 mL) and cooled in an ice bath while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. Nitronium tetrafluoroborate (40.8 g) in acetonitrile (800 mL) was added dropwise over 45 minutes. The reaction was stirred for 45 minutes after the addition, then poured into ice (985 g). The resulting solid was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo to give methyl 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetate (55.9 g). Mass spectrum: (M+NH4)+@347. Extraction of the aqueous phase with t-butyl methyl ether (2×800 mL) yielded additional material including the lesser products, methyl 3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetate; Mass spectrum: (M+NH4)+@347 and methyl 3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetate; Mass spectrum: (M+NH4)+@392.

Methyl 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetate (55 g) was saponified according to the procedure in example 1, to give of 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid (51.6 g). Mass spectrum: (M+NH4)+@333.

Example 3

Preparation of 8-amino-3-hydroxy-1-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy) octane; a tether.

The title compound is prepared according to Scheme 1, steps 1-6, above. The bold-faced compound numbers refer to the compounds in that scheme.

Step a: Preparation of Methyl 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-oxo-octanoate.

In a reaction flask equipped with a magnetic stirbar and latex septum were added 6-N-Cbz-aminohexanoic acid ((1, R¹ is Cbz, R¹⁰ is H, W is --(CH₂)5-50 g, 0.188 moles), anhydrous methylene chloride (1 L), Meldrum's Acid (2, 27.15 g, 0.188 moles), and triethyl amine (68.6 mL, 0.5 moles). While stirring under nitrogen diethylcyanophosphonate (30.8 mL, 0.188 moles) was added. After stirring for 18 hours the reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and washed 3N HCl (250 mL), distilled water (3×100 mL) and saturated sodium chloride solution (100 mL). The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated in vacuo to give the crude 6-N-Cbz-aminohexanoic acid- Meldrum's acid adduct (92.7 g). The adduct was transferred to a reaction flask equipped with a magnetic stirbar, reflux condenser, and gas inlet adaptor and dissolved in anhydrous methanol (R² OH where R² is methyl, 1 L). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature the solution was evaporated in vacuo to give methyl 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-oxo-octanoate (91.3 g). The material was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 20% ethyl acetate in cyclohexane to give methyl 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-oxo-octanoate (diketoester 3, 52.5 g). Mass Spectrum: (M+H)⁺ @m/z 322, (M+NH4)⁺ @m/z 339.

Step b: Preparation of 8-(N-Cbz-amino)- 1,3-octanediol.

Methyl 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-oxo-octanoate (3,51.5 g, 0.16 moles) was dissolved in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (350 mL) in a reaction flask equipped with a magnetic stirbar, reflux condenser, pressure equalizing addition funnel and nitrogen gas inlet. While stirring the mixture under nitrogen sodium borohydride (15.1 g, 0.4 moles) was cautiously added. The mixture was then heated to reflux and methanol was added dropwise over 90 minutes. Stirring was continued at reflux temperature for 60 minutes after the addition was complete. After allowing the solution to cool to ambient temperature, distilled water (78 mL) was added and 3N HCl was added to pH 3. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo to remove the organic solvents, and solid potassium carbonate was added to adjust the pH back to 12. The mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate (5×100 mL). The extract was washed with saturated sodium chloride (2×50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in methanol (200 mL) and evaporated again. This was repeated a total of five times. The residue was crystallized from ether (700 mL) giving 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-1,3-octanediol (4,23 g). A second crop was collected on addition of cyclohexane (300 mL) to the mother liquor (6.8 g). Mass Spectrum: (M+H)⁺ (M+H)⁺ @m/z 296, (M+H₄)⁺ @m/z 313.

Step c: Preparation of 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-hydroxy-1-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityl oxy)octane.

8-(N-Cbz-amino)-1,3-octanediol (4,25 g, 85 mmoles ) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (200 mL),evaporated in vacuo and redissolved in anhydrous pyridine (200 mL). Diisopropylethylamine (38.1 mL, 88 mmoles) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (170 mg) were added. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen and cooled in an ice bath while adding 4,4-dimethoxytrityl chloride (30 g, 88 mmoles) in tetrahydrofuran (200 mL) dropwise over 1.5 hours. Stirring was continued for 15 minutes after the addition was complete. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 20:80:1 ethyl acetate:cyclohexane:triethylamine, then 50:50:1 ethyl acetate:cyclohexane:triethylamine and finally, 100:1 ethyl acetate:triethylamine. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-hydroxy-1-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octane (44 g) as a crisp foam. Mass Spectrum: (M+K)⁺ @m/z 636. 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-hydroxy-1-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octane (28.4 g, 47.6 mmoles) was dissolved in methanol (200 mL) and hydrogenated over 10% palladium on carbon (2.84 g) @45 psi hydrogen for 2.5 hours. After filtration and evaporation in vacuo there remained 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-1,3-octanediol (21.5 g). Mass Spectrum: (M+K)⁺ @m/z 502.

Example 4

Preparation of N-[5-hydroxy-8-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-81-adamantaneacetamide, a tethered hapten.

The titled compound was prepared according to Scheme 1 as previously described. Compound numbers refer to the compounds found in that scheme.

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-l-adamantaneacetic acid (6, a is H, a' is nitrophenyl, 10 g, 31.7 mmoles), 8-(N-Cbz-amino)-3-hydroxy-1-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octane (5,21.5 g, 47.6 mmoles), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (6.48 g, 48 mmoles) and triethylamine (13 mL, 96 mmoles) were dissolved in anhydrous methylene chloride (250 mL). 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (9.2 g, 48 mmoles) was added and the mixture was stirred under nitrogen for 4 hours. The mixture was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 50:50:1 ethyl acetate:cyclohexane:triethylamine, then 80:20:1 ethyl acetate:cyclohexane:triethylamine to give 8-N-[5-hydroxy-8-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetamide (7,19.4 g). Mass Spectrum: (M+K)⁺ @m/z 799.

Example 5

Preparation of 8-N-[5-O-(O-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl phosphatidyl)-8-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetamide; a tethered hapten.

The title compound is prepared according to Scheme 1, step 7, above. The bold-faced compound numbers refer to the compounds in that scheme.

8-N-[5-hydroxy-8-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetamide (7,19.4 g, 25.5 mmoles), and diisopropylethylamine (7, 21.3 mL) were dissolved in anhydrous methylene chloride (300 mL). O-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite (8.5 mL, 38.1 mmoles) was added and the mixture stirred under nitrogen for 45 minutes. Methanol (1.8 mL) was added and stirring was continued for 20 minutes to quench the reaction. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and diluted with 15% triethylamine in ethyl acetate (1 L). The solution was washed with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate (425 mL×2), saturated sodium chloride (425 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 10% triethylamine in methylene chloride (600 mL) and chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with 10% triethylamine in hexane, followed by 7:2:1 hexane:ethyl acetate:triethylamine, and finally by 5:4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate:triethylamine. The appropriate fractions were combined and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was thrice dissolved in toluene (600 mL) and evaporated in vacuo, and finally, thrice dissolved in methylene chloride (600 mL) and evaporated in vacuo to give 8-N-[5-O-(O-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphatidyl)-8-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy)octyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetamide (8,18.2 g) as a crisp foam. Mass Spectrum: (M+K)⁺ @m/z 999. 31P NMR: ∂146 ppm (H₃ PO4 reference).

Example 6.

Synthesis of tethered intermediate: ##STR15## A. 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid.([I:a,=H; a'=NO₂ ; B═--OH].) from example 2 (390 mg, 1.25 mmoles) was dissolved in THF (10 mL) and treated with N--t--BOC--O-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethanol hydrochloride (300 mg, 1.25 mmoles; prepared from 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol by the method of Mattingly, P. G. Synthesis, (4):366-68, (1990)), triethylamine (3.75 mmoles, 521 μL) and benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP reagent, 1.25 mmoles, 0.552 g) for 12 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (75 mL); washed with water (10 mL), citric acid (10% aq., 15 mL), 5% sodium bicarbonate (10 mL), and brine (10 mL); dried over magnesium sulfate; filtered and evaporated. The residue was further purified by chromatography (silica gel, 100 g, eluting with ethyl acetate) to give the tethered compound [II, a=H; a'= NO₂ ; A=--NHCH₂ CH₂ OCH₂ CH₂ NHBOC],613 mg.

B. The intermediate protected compound was dissolved in methylene chloride (10 mL, anhydrous) and treated with TFA (1 mL) at 0° C. under nitrogen for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL) containing triethyl amine (2 mL). The solution was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (10 mL); dried over sodium sulfate; filtered; and evaporated under reduced pressure to give the compound [II, a=H; a'=NO₂ ; A=--NHCH₂ CH₂ OCH₂ CH₂ NH₂ ], 530 mg.

Example 7

Synthesis of tethered intermediate with a carboxylic acid functional group. ##STR16## A. 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid.(I: a=H; a'=NO₂ ; R═--OH].) from example 2 (10 g, 31.75 mmoles) was suspended in methylene chloride (100 mL) and cooled to O° C. in an ice bath under a dry nitrogen atmosphere. Oxalyl chloride (18.25 mL,36.5 mmoles, 2M in methylene chloride) was added dropwise over 5 minutes. A catalytic amount of DMF (1 drop) was added. On stirring for 1 hour the reaction mixture became homogeneous. The volatile components were removed in vacuo and the residue of the acid chloride was redissolved in methylene chloride (200 mL) and cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath under a dry nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was treated with methyl 6-aminocaproate hydrochloride (5.8 g), triethylamine (73 mmoles, 10.1 mL) and then stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL); washed with water (10 mL), citric acid (10% aq., 2×50 mL), saturated sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), and brine (50 mL); dried over sodium sulfate; filtered and evaporated. The crude product was chromatographed on silica (200 g, eluted with 1 to 1 ethyl acetate and cyclohexane) and then recrystallized from benzene/diethyl ether to give the tethered compound [II, a=H; a'=NO₂ ; A=--NHCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CO₂ CH₃ ], 8.8 g; mass spectrum (M+H)⁺ 443, (M+NH₄)⁺ 460.

B. The intermediate protected compound was dissolved in refluxing methanol (200 mL) containing sodium hydroxide (3.18 g, 79.6 mmoles) and water (20 mL). Reflux was continued for 30 minutes whereupon the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the volatiles removed in vacuo. The residue was diluted with water (20 mL) and acidified to pH 3 wtih 20% sulfuric acid. The aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 mL). The organic solution was dried over sodium sulfate; filtered; and evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude product. Recrystallization from benzene afforded compound [II, a=H; a'=NO₂ ; A=--NHCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CO₂ H], 8.3 g; mass spectrum (M+H)⁺ 429, (M+NH₄)⁺ 446.

B. Synthesis of Immunogens Example 8

A. General procedure I: The hapten (25 mg) was activatated with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 15 mg, 0.07 mmol) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS, 25 mg, 0.2 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL, freshly distilled from benzophenone ketyl) at 0° C. for 2 h and at ambient temperature for 12 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. Bovine serum albumin (BSA, 200 mg) was dissolved in phosphate buffer (10 mL, 0.1M, pH 8.0). The solution of the activated hapten was filtered through a plug of glass wool into the stirred solution of the BSA. Stirring was continued for 24 h, after which the reaction mixture was transferred to dialysis tubing (molecular weight cutoff: 15,000) and dialysed against phosphate buffer (6 L, 83 g NaHPO₃ -H₂ O, 23.5 g NaOH, pH 8), then water (6 L) at room temperature for 48 h. The dialysate was lyophilized to give a solid. By UV the immunogen contained 13-26 moles of hapten per mole of BSA.

B. General procedure II: The hapten (25 mg) was activatated with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 15 mg, 0.07 mmol) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS, 25 mg, 0.2 mmol) in dimethylformamide (5 mL) at 0° C. for 2 h and at ambient temperature for 12 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH, 500 mg) was suspended in phosphate buffer (10 mL, 0.1M, pH 8.0). The solution of the activated hapten was filtered through a plug of glass wool into the stirred suspension of the KLH. Stirring was continued for 24 h, after which the reaction mixture was transferred to dialysis tubing (molecular weight cutoff: 15,000) and dialysed against phosphate buffer (6 L, 83 g NaHPO₃ -H₂ O, 23.5 g NaOH, pH 8), then water (6 L) at room temperature for 48 h. The dialysate was lyophilized to give a solid.

Example 9

The compounds of example 1 and 2 was reacted according to procedure 3A to give a BSA immunogen.

Example 10

The compounds of example 1 and 2 was reacted according to procedure 3B to give a KLH immunogen.

C. Synthesis of Tracers Example 11

A. General procedure I: The hapten (25 mg) was activatated with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 15 mg, 0.07 mmol) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS, 25 mg, 0.2 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL,freshly distilled from benzophenone ketyl) or dimethyl formamide (5 mL) at 0° C. for 2 h and at ambient temperature for 12 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. To an aliquot (1 mL) of the activated hapten was added an amino bearing fluorescein derivative (4 mg) along with 2 drops of triethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred for 12 h, evaporated and chromatographed [Whatman PLKC18F, 1 mm, 20×20 cm reverse phase plates, methanol/1% aq. acetic acid, 60:40 or MERCK Silica Gel 60 F-254, 2 mm, 20×20 cm, chloroform/methanol, 85:15].

B. General procedure II: The hapten (25 mg) was dissolved in thionyl chloride (1 mL) and heated to 60° C. for 12 h. Afterwards the excess thionyl chloride was removed in vacuo, leaving the acid chloride of the hapten. The acid chloride was then dissolved in THF (5 mL, freshly distilled from benzophenone ketyl). To an aliquot (1 mL) of the activated hapten was added an amino bearing fluorescein derivative (4 mg) along with 2 drops of triethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred for 12 h, evaporated and chromatographed [Whatman PLKC18F, 1 mm, 20×20 cm reverse phase plates, methanol/1% aq. acetic acid, 60:40 or MERCK Silica Gel 60 F-254, 2 mm, 20×20 cm, chloroform/methanol, 85:15].

C. General procedure III: The amino bearing hapten was converted to its hydrochloride by treatment with ethereal hydrogen chloride. The hapten hydrochloride (50 mg) was dissolved in THF (10 mL, freshly distilled from benzophenone ketyl) and treated with trichloromethyl chloroformate (100 mL) for 30 min under a nitrogen atmosphere. Afterwards the volatiles were removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up in DMF, divided into aliquots and treated with an amino beating fluorescein derivative along with one drop of triethylamine. After stirring for 12 h, the reaction mixture was evaporated and chromatographed [Whatman PLKC18F, 1 mm, 20×20 cm reverse phase plates, methanol/l% aq. acetic acid, 60:40 or MERCK Silica Gel 60 F-254, 2 mm, 20×20 cm, chloroform/methanol, 85:15].

Example 12

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid was reacted according to example 8A with 4'-aminomethylfluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR17##

Example 13

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid was reacted according to example 8A with 4'-N-(glycylaminomethyl)fluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR18##

Example 14

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid was reacted according to example 8A with 5-aminomethylfluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR19##

Example 15

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid can be reacted according to example 8A with 6-aminofluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR20##

Example 16

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid was reacted according to example 8A with 5-[N-(2-aminoethyl)carboxamido]fluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR21##

Example 17

3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-adamantaneacetic acid was reacted according to example 8A with 6-[N-(2-aminoethyl)carboxamido]fluorescein to give a tracer of structure:. ##STR22##

D. Production of Antisera Example 18

Approximately four to five month old female New Zealand White rabbits were injected subcutaneously and intramuscularly with an initial inoculation of 0.2 mg of the immunogen in Freund's Complete Adjuvant followed by a day 14 boost of 0.1 mg of the immunogen and thereafter monthly booster injections of 0.05 mg in Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant. Bleeds were taken two weeks following each booster injection and the serum tested for binding to tracers in the TDx instrument. Antibodies with adequate net millipolarization and span were shown in some bleeds 6 weeks from initial inoculation.

E. Production of Hybridomas Example 19

Four to six week old female BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously at four weeks intervals with 0.2 mL of the immunogen from Example 6 (5 mg/mL; 0.06 mL of immunogen) in. 1.88 mL saline; with 100 mg of monophosphoryl lipid A and trehalose dimycloate adjuvant (Ribi Immunochem Research, Inc). Three months from initial inoculation, upon testing positive for antibody activity on the TDx instrument,the donor mice are killed by cervical dislocation three days following the last immunization; the spleen is removed aseptically and placed in a plastic Petri dish with 5 mL of cold Dulbecco's Minimal Essential Medium (DMEM),with 2.0 mM L-glutamine (Medium A). The spleen is dissociated into a single cell suspension; the cells are centrifuged to a pellet and the red cells lysed by resuspension in 2 mL of 0.83% ammonium chloride in 10 mM Tris buffer. After letting stand for 2 min., 20-30 mL of fresh medium A is added. The cells are washed by centrifugation and resuspended in 10 mL of fresh medium A.

An immunoglobulin non-secreting mouse myeloma cell line (SP 2/0) deficient in the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT-, EC2.4.2.8), as disclosed by Kearney, Journal of Immunology, 1979,123,1548, which is incorporated herein by reference, is used as the fusion partner. The myeloma cell line is maintained in medium A with 20% fetal calf serum added. For three days prior to fusion, 0.1 mM 8-azaguanine is added to the myeloma cells in order to kill any HGPRT+revertants. On the day of fusion, the myeloma cells are harvested, washed once in medium A, and resuspended in 5 mL medium A. The myeloma and previously harvested spleen cells are counted using a hemacytometer and their viability assessed by Erythrosin B stain exclusion.

The fusion technique used is modified from that of Gefter et. al., Somatic Cell Genetics, 1977, 3, 231, which is hereby incorporated by reference. To a sterile 50 mL conical centrifuge tube was added 1-1.5×10⁸ spleen cells with an equal number of SP 2/0 myeloma cells. The myeloma-spleen cell suspension was centrifuged at 1400 rpm for 5 minutes to pellet the cells together. The supernatant was aspirated off and the tube tapped gently to loosen the cell pellet and 1 mL of 50% polyethylene glycol (PEG, MW 1000, Sigma) in DMEM, without serum, was added to the cell pellet. The cells were resuspended gently in PEG solution over a period of 1 minute by slowly aspirating up and down using a 1 mL pipette. The tube was held in the hand for an additional 1 minute and then 1 mL of medium A was added slowly to dilute the PEG. The cells are allowed to stand for an additional 1 minute without agitation or mixing. An additional 20 mL of medium A was added over a period of 3 to 5 minutes, and the cells pelleted at 1400 rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatant was aspirated off and the cells resuspended in 20 mL of medium A with 20% fetal calf serum, 1×10⁻⁴ M hypoxanthine, 4×10⁻⁷ M aminopterin and 3×10⁻⁶ M thymidine (medium C or HAT selective medium). Aminopterin is toxic for cells that lack the enzyme HGPRT and therefore kills all unfused myeloma cells. Fused cells (hybridomas) survive in HAT because they obtain HGPRT from the B lymphocyte (spleen cell) fusion partner.

Example 20

Selection of Hybridomas Producing Monoclonal Antibodies to 3-Phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid Immunogen.

The cell suspension from example 17 above is transferred into a 75 cm2 T-flask and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ incubator for 1-3 hours. The cell suspension is then diluted to 1×10⁶ spleen cells/mL with medium C, and 1 mL volumes of the cell suspensions are added to each well of a 24 well Costar plates. These plates are incubated for 24 hours at 37° C., and 5% CO₂. After the incubation period 1 mL volumes of feeder cell (non-immunized BALB/c mouse spleen cells) suspension in medium C at 2-3×10⁵ cells/mL is added to each of the 24 wells of the Costar plates and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ for 14-17 days. During this period, on alternate days, 1 mL volumes of medium is removed from each well by aspiration and replaced with 1 mL of fresh medium C. On day 10 the supernatants from the hybridoma containing wells are tested for antibody activity in the TDx instrument using selected tracers as described above, 25 mL of hybridoma supernatant. Five hybridoma suspensions are chosen for further cloning by picking those supernatants with tracer binding in mP units greater than 20% over background. The cells from wells chosen for containing antibody activity are cloned by limiting dilution within 24 hours of sampling.

Example 21

Cloning of Hybridoma Culture that Produces Monoclonal Antibodies to 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivative of Example 2.

The cells in antibody secreting wells are diluted in a volume of Medium A and 15% fetal calf serum (Medium B) to a concentration of 10 cells/mL and 100 mL of each diluted cell suspension are aliquoted into the wells of three Costar plates of 96 wells each. 100 mL volumes of feeder cells in medium B at 5×10⁵ cells/mL are added to each well and the plates incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ for 14 days. Supernatants are again tested for antibody activity using the same protocol as in Example 18. The antibody producing clones are then expanded without feeder cells in 24 well Costar plates and finally in 25 cm2 T-flasks. 32×10⁶ cells/mL samples of the clone are then stored in medium B with 10% glycerol added, in liquid nitrogen. 1-2 mL samples were then further evaluated for displacement on the TDx instrument protocol and one clone is selected for ascites production.

Example 22

In Vivo Production of Monoclonal Antibodies to Example 21.

An in vivo method for obtaining large amounts of monoclonal antibodies involved the adaptation of Example 19 to grow as an "ascites" tumor. Female BALB/c mice are "primed by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL of pristane (2,6,10,14-tetra-methylpentadecane). Pristane is a sterile irritant which elicits a serous secretion ("ascites") in the peritoneal cavity of mice which acts as a growth medium. Approximately 4-5 weeks following the pristane injection, aliquots containing 1.5×10⁶ actively growing hybridoma cells harvested from in vitro cultures as described in Example 18 are innoculated into the peritoneal cavities of primed mice. Seven days following hybridoma cell injection, 5-10 mL of ascites fluid is harvested from each mouse. Upon purification by ammonium sulfate precipitation approximately 24.6 mg of antibody is obtained per mL of ascites fluid.

Example 23

3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassays

As described previously, the reagents for the FPIA of the present invention comprise tracers and antibodies raised against immunogens of the present invention, specific for tethered intermediates. In addition, conventionally used assay solutions including a dilution buffer, and 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivative calibrators and controls are prepared.

The preferred procedure is designed to be used in conjunction with the automated TDx, ADx, or IMx systems; however, manual assays can also be performed. In both procedures, the test sample can be mixed with a pretreatment solution and antibody in dilution buffer before a background reading is taken. The tracer is then added to the test solution. After incubation, a fluorescence polarization reading is taken.

In the automated assays, the fluorescence polarization value of each calibrator, control or test sample is determined and printed on the output tape of the TDx, ADx or IMx instrument. The instrument also generates a standard curve by plotting the polarization of each calibrator versus it's concentration, using a nonlinear regression analysis. The concentration of each control or sample is read off the stored curve and printed on the output tape.

The following reagents are used in the preferred automated 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivative assays.

1) the pretreatment solution

2) the tracer diluted in 50% methanol in potassium phosphate buffer (0.15M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5).

3) the antibody comprising rabbit antisera or mouse monoclonal antibody raised against a 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivative immunogen, diluted in TDx buffer (0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, containing 0.01% bovine gamma globulin and 0.1% sodium azide) with 30% glycerol;

4) a diluent buffer comprising TDx buffer;

5) a sets of calibrators

6) controls comprising 5 mg/mL 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivatives

All polarized fluorescent measurements are made using the TDx instrument which performed the assay in accordance with the following protocol:

1) 22.5 mL of standard or unknown test sample and 12.5 mL each of the antibody reagent and the pretreatment reagent are delivered into the cuvette and a sufficient volume of diluent buffer is added to raise the volume to 1 mL, and a background intensity reading is taken;

2) 12.5 mL each of pretreatment reagent and antibody, 25 mL of the tracer, and the second 22.5 mL of sample and are added to the cuvette, and a sufficient volume of diluent buffer is added to raise the volume to 2.0 mL;

3) the reaction mixture is incubated;

4) the fluorescence polarization due to tracer binding to the antibody is obtained by subtracting the polarized fluorescence intensities of the background from the final polarized fluorescence intensities of the mixture; and

5) the polarization value for the unknown test sample is compared to a standard curve prepared using calibrators of known 3-phenyl-1-adamantaneacetic acid derivative content. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A conjugate compound having the following structure: ##STR23## wherein a and a' are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylthio, halo-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl )amino, aryl-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, halogen, amino, carboxy, carboxamido, hydroxy, mercapto, nitro, nitroso, sulfo, phospho and protected forms thereof; oralternatively a and a' when taken together with the carbons to which they are joined form a fused ring; Z is alkylene of from 1 to about 10 atoms; A is a linking moiety of the formula --L-- wherein L is spacer group consisting of from 1 to about 50 atoms; and Q is an immunogenicity conferring carrier molecule, a detectable label, an oligonucleotide or a solid support.
 2. The conjugate according to claim 1 wherein Z is --CH₂ --; and a is hydrogen and a' is at the 4 position and is selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylthio, halo-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl)amino, aryl-C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, halogen, amino, carboxy, carboxamido, hydroxy, mercapto, nitro, nitroso, sulfo, phospho and protected forms thereof.
 3. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein Q is an immunogenicity conferring carrier.
 4. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of BSA, KLH, thyroglobulin, and ovalbumin.
 5. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein Q is a detectable label.
 6. The conjugate of claim 5, wherein said detectable label is a fluorescent molecule.
 7. The conjugate of claim 6, wherein said fluorescent molecule is a fluorescein derivative selected from the group consisting of fluorescein amine, carboxyfluorescein, a-iodoacetamidofluorescein, 4'-aminomethylfluorescein, 4'-N-alkylaminomethylfluorescein, 5-aminomethylfluorescein, 2,4-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl-aminofluorescein (DTAF), 4-chloro-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl-aminofluorescein, and fluorescein isothiocyanate.
 8. The conjugate of claim 7 wherein said detectable label is an aminomethylfluorescein.
 9. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein Q is a solid support.
 10. The conjugate of claim 9, wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of beads, tubes, rods, microtitre plates and columns.
 11. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein Q is an oligonucleotide.
 12. The conjugate of claim 11, wherein said oligonucleotide is a deoxyribonucleotide from about 10 to about 100 bases in length. 